Wednesday 20 March 2013

Saint Cathcan of Rath-derthaighe, March 20



At March 20 we have one of the many Irish saints whose feast day is well-attested on the calendars, but about whom no other information has survived.
Saint Cathcan is described as a bishop and associated with the locality of Rath-derthaige. The index of places attached to the translation of the Martyrology of Gorman suggests that this place is in Offaly.  Canon O'Hanlon brings us the evidence from the calendars below:

St. Cathcan, Bishop of Rath-derthaighe.

A record appears in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at this date, regarding a St. Catchan. There, his locality is designated, Ratha Turthaighe. The Bollandists record him, likewise, as Cathchan, of Rath-dertaighe. Under the head of Rath-Darthaighe, (or Derthaighe), Duald Mac Firbis enters a Cathchan or perhaps Cathchubishop, at March 20th. Likewise, on this day, we find entered in the Martyrology of Donegal, as having veneration paid him, a St. Cathcan, Bishop, of Rath-derthaighe.

Note: This post was first published in 2013 and revised in 2022.

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